Automatic water heater for beverages



Sept. 18', 1951 E. P. VAN SCIVER 2,563,474

AUTOMATIC WATER HEATER FOR BEVERAGES Filed April 28, 1949 3 Sheets-Sheet 1 A R... A ,7. a Q \www H m--. W & mq Q Mi Q Q R Q ww Sept. 18, 1951 E. P. VAN SCIVER 2, 7

AUTOMATIC WATER HEATER FOR BEVERAGES Filed April 28, 1949 5 Sheets-Sheet 2 W J W4/7QW Sept. 18, 1951 E. P. VAN SCIVER 2,553,474

AUTOMATIC WATER HEATER FOR BEVERAGES Filed April 28, 1949 5 Sheets-Sheet 5 lzwyz wjzzw ly MAJ??? J mam fiwwr/ Patented Sept. 18, 1951 AUTOMATIC WATE BEVERAGE It HSEATERFORL Edwin P. van Sc'iver, Philadelphia, Pa., assigndfof one-third toEarl T. Van Sciver, Glenside; and one-third to Wesley J. Van Scive'r, Wynnewood, Pa.

Application April 28, 1949, Serial 'N 0. 90,205

19 Claims.- 1

This invention relates to automatic devices for heatmg small quantities of water and is directed more particularly to a water heating device tor a beverage such as sgluble coffee, tea, chocolate, etc.

The present "apparatus is characterized .byi-a water supply reservoir from which water is :permitted to 'flowin'to a pressure tank of predetermined volume. The pressure tank is provided with a spout which delivers heated water from the tank to a beverage cup. The pressure tank is also provided with a heating device which'in the instant case may be an' electrical heater of the resistance type or of the immersion type; "A suitable valve between the reservoir and the pressureztankpermits flow of water .from .the reservoir to the tank and prevents return of water or vapor to the reservoir after the pressure tank filled. The capacity of the pressure tank is calculated in .such a manner that "when the water in thestank has been expelled :due :to the action of the heater, a beverage cup will be substantially filled. Since conventional cups vary somewhat in volume, one embodiment of the invention includes means for regulating the amount of 'water discharged from the pressure tank in accordance with the volume *of the cup. :In one form of the invention the electrical circuit is automatically actuated by means of a float, :whereas inthe case of the resistance :heater, the flow of current is dependent upon the presence of .an electrically conductive liquid between the elements :of the heater- In either event, the heating supply is automatically controlled. :Nevertheless, a manual switch may be provided iSO that the cycle may be interruptedat any desired point.

An important feature of the device resides in the fact that only-sufficient water for a single :cup is :heated at a time, whereupon this water. is

ejected into the cup and the cycle may be re- Fig; 5 is av'iew generally similar to Figs. 1 mac but of a further modified'rform in which aresist ance' hea'ter is provided in a pressure tankzand the valve beWI-een the reservoir and the pressure tank is manually controlled.

Referring now more particularly to :Fig'. :1, the water heater comprises a housing lOl-having :a base member H which extends laterally to prowide for a drip reservoir I2 andaperforated'rsupport 13 for a beverage cup: 14. .A primary reservoir I 5 occupies-the :upperpart of housing M) and .is supported bYiDIEGkBlJS I6, t6. Reservoir :15 may be conveniently filled 30y raising-a hinged cover H which provides BCGGSS'stO the neck 18 of reservoir J5. :A pressuring tank :19 occupies the bottom portion of housing i0 and is sdesir-ahly mounted in and surrounded by .a suitable insulat ing material 20, 20. Liquid communication fbetween reservoir :15 l and tank L9 is provided through pipe ;2.l which'has :a check valve assem- My 22 near the bottom thereof. The valve proper 22a may ?be of .a plastic material such as polyethylene, :in order that the valve may float on the liquid in tank 1 9, thus eliminating the neces sity :for :a valve spring. immersion heater .23 is mounted in tank 4 9 by means of supports .24, 24 and .is electrically connected to .a sourceoi .current 25 by :means of leads .26 and 271 Tank 1:9 is provided with ;a float 28 which may also he :of a synthetic material such as polyethylene, and the float carries an :armature .29 :of some magnetic metal. :Float 128 is constrained :to move in :an up and down direction by means :of a periorated cage 30.

Since the bottom 19a of tank =|=9 :slopes downwardly, a raised abutment :31 is provided the cage :so that float 28 will be substantially level even when tank I9 is empty, thusavoiding any tendency for the ifloat to stick in the cage.

The lead 2-1 is connected to :contact :35 :of a switch assembly which is .i-nsturn mountedrin an insulating :block :36 secured to bracket LG by screws 31, 31. Contact 3545 associated -with-an uppercontact 38 on arm f3 9 which is in turn movably supported from block why-means of spring 40. Arm 3;!) extends beyond :contact 38 andearries :a permanent magnet H -.positioned to register with armature :2-9 when the latter is the .raised position :directly under the top-43b of tank zliQ. The opposite end :of arm 39 extends through 'opening 42 .in :biock :35 :and connected with 43 .insuch .amannerzthatklink Hand/ or .arm "39 are permitted-1:0 :have limited-relative movement :with respect to'reaeh :other. A slot in .the .upturnedwend :of ram 139 :is sufficient tor this purpose. The upper end of link 43 is connected to the walking beam 45 of a manual actuator having buttons 46, 41 guided by and extending through the top of housing I (Fig. 3). Spring 48 controls the operation of walking beam 45 to a limited extent, as will be more fully explained hereinafter.

Tank I9 is also provided with an air vent 50 extending into reservoir I5 and above the normal waterline 5| in the reservoir. A ball check valve 52 having a specific gravity greater than water is disposed at the bottom of vent 5|] and permits low velocity escape of air from tank I9, but closes when the presence of steam in tank I9 increases the Velocity of gaseous discharge through the vent.

Hot water is discharged from tank I9 by means of a spout 60 which is curved upwardly and horizontally so that water may be conveniently discharged into cup l4. The lower end of spout 60 extends into a sump 6| in tank I9 and is adapted to be adjusted vertically with respect to sump 6|. so that varying quantities of water may be ejected from, thetank in any operating cycle. For this purpose, the vertical portion of spout 60 is provided with an externally threaded collar 62 securely attached to the spout. A captive thumb nut 63 is rotatably mounted in housing I0 and in bracket I6, as shown clearly in Fig. 1. Leakage from tank I9 is prevented by means of a suitable gland comprising packing 65 and gland nut 66. It will be apparent that the depth to which spout 60 extends into sump 6| may be readily controlled by turning nut 63 so that when the spout is lowered, the maximum amount of water will be forced from tank I9, whereas when the spout is raised, the amount of water expelled will be decreased.

In operation, water is poured into reservoir I5 so that tank I9 is also filled through pipe 2|. Simultaneously, the water rises in spout 60 to the same level 5| as the water in reservoir I5. When tank I9 fills, check 22a rises to efiectively close pipe 2| and float 28 rises so that the armature 29 is directly beneath the top I9b of tank I9, which is of a non-magnetic material. In this position, the attraction of magnet 4| for armature 29 is insufiicient to close contacts 35 and 38. With the electrical supply 25 connected, the operator pushes button 41 which raises link 43 so that the top of slot 44 is engaged by the link. This action causes arm 39 to pivot on spring 49, thereby closing contacts 35 and 38 so that the circuit to heater 23 is completed. In this position, the magnet 4| has sufiicient attraction for the armature to hold the arm 39 down and the contacts 35 and 38 closed for the duration of the heating cycle.

As the water in tank I9 begins to boil, small quantities of air are expelled through vent 56. The level of the bottom of spout 69 being lower than the level of the vent 59 prevents steam or air from ejecting from spout 66. When more vigorous boiling takes place, the higher velocity flow through check valve 52 closes vent 59 and valve 22a is likewise closed. When the pressure in tank I9 is sufiicient to overcome the head of the column of water in spout 60, the boiling water is forced out of the spout and into cup I4. This action in turn lowers float 28, the weight of which is such that the magnet 4| cannot hold it in raised position and permits tension in spring 40 to raise arm 39 and open contacts 35 and 38.

The tension in spring 40, as well as the magnetic attraction between magnet 4| and armature 29 are so adjusted that spring 40 is sufiicient to hold the arm 39 in an open position when float 28 is raised, yet spring 40 is insuflicient to overcome the attraction between magnet 4| and armature 29 when arm 39 is in the closed position and float 28 is raised. The attraction between the armature and the magnet is not stron enough to interfere with rising and falling of float 28 in tank I9. Whenever button 41 is completely depressed, the heating cycle will be initiated and will continue until automatically stopped by the lowering of float 28. However, it will be noted that pressure tank I9 is automatically refilled from reservoir I5 as soon as atmospheric conditions obtain in the pressure tank. Also, the heater circuit may be opened at any time by pressing button 46 so that the heater may be turned olf at the end of a cycle or at any time during a cycle. Since the contacts 35 and 38 are held closed only when the float 28 is in the upper position, it is apparent that the float functions also as a safety to prevent energization of the heater 23 when no water is present in tank I9.

Referring now to Figs. 2-4, a modified form of water heater is designed to operate in substantially the same way as has just been described in connection with the heater shown in Fig. 1. In the modified form, the heater is provided with a casing 19 supported on feet II, II and provided with a drip pan l2 and a perforated support I3 for beverage cup I4. The reservoir I4 is filled with water through neck I5 when lid I6 is raised. The measuring or pressure tank TI is provided with a float I8 which in this form is of a hollow metallic construction and the float I8 carries an armature 19 which operates in the same manner as described in connection with armature 29. Float 78 is retained in cage 80 so that it is free to rise and fall with the liquid in tank 71.

Fluid passes from reservoir I4 and tank IT by means of outlet 8| which is provided with a ball check 82 that closes when sufiicient pressure is present in the tank 71. An immersion heater 83 is suspended from the top Ila. of tank 11 by means of studs 84, 84 (Fig. 4) which are insulated from top I? by means of suitable bushings 85, 85 and spacers 86, 86. Heater 83 is connected to a source of electrical power 87 by lead 88 and to switch 89 by lead 90. Switch 89 comprises a piovoting arm 9| mounted on spring 92 and provided with a contact 93. Contact 94 is mounted on a rigid arm 95 supported by insulating spacers :96, 96 and connected to power source 91 by line 91.

Spout I96 in the modified form is fixedly mounted on and sealed to tank 'I'I at |6I and extends downwardly into the tank 11 to provide a means for ejecting the heated water in the same manner as described in connection with Fig. 1. Since spout I03 is fixed on tank I1, the capacity of the tank is adjusted by means of a bellows I 02 formed in the bottom 11b of the tank. A cam I93'is associated with bellows I92 and may be rotated by means of shaft I04 mounted in supports I05, I06 and fixed to handle IU'I. When shaft I64 is turned, cam I03 distends bellows I62, thereby reducing or increasing (as the case may be) the volume of liquid that may be contained in tank I1.

Referring now to Fig. 5, a still further modification of my water heater is provided with a reservoir I20 which has a filler. neck I2I and an outlet fitting I22. The pressure tank I23 communicates with reservoir I20 through fitting I22 5'. which has a relatively large diameter ballcheck 24 spring-loaded upwardlyby means of'helical spring I25.. Ball I24 may be depressed to perng itv flow. of liquid from reservoir Ii into. tank I23 by means of plunger I25 which extends through reservoir I20. and is provided with a button 121:. An electrical resistance heater I28 is positioned inside tank I23 by means of posts I29. and I30, As is well known in the art, heaters. of this type comprise a pair of spaced elements, I2 8d and. H817 electrically insulated from each other and con-. nected to binding posts I3I. and L32. When an electrically conductive liquid. contacts both.ele-. ments I28a and I28b of the heater, currentflows between the elements to complete the circuit and heat the liquid. When thereis no liquid between the. elements, the circuit is thereby automaticallyopened. Tank I23 is provided with a, sump I33 and a spout I34 which extends into sump I33. Spout I34 is generally similar to spouts 6,0 and- IIIII of Figs. 1 and 2, and is rigidly sealed to tank I23 at I35. As described previously in conjunce tion with the forms of Figs. 1 and 2, reservoir I20; and tank I23 may be mounted in a housing having a frame I36 and a cup support I31 for cup I4.

In operation, reservoir I20 is filled with water through neck I2I. Plunger I26 is then depressed to permit tank I23 to fill. As soon as water sur-. rounds elements I28a and I281), heating of the; watertakes place. Pressure on plunger I26. is released to permit the ball check I24 to close the passage between the reservoir and the pressure tank. When sufficient vapor pressure is present in pressure tank I23, the contents of the tank will'be discharged through spout I34 intocup I4 as described previously. When thisoccurs, the heating element is automatically shutoff due to, the absence of a conductor between elementsIZBa and I281). Any residual water remaining in tank I23 will be. retained in sump I33. As long as there is a supply of water in reservoir I20, the. operation may be repeated merely by pressing button I21 to permit filling of tank I23.

It will thus be apparent that in all forms of, the invention the heating means for the water is automatically actuatedeither by the operation-of a float in the pressure tank or merely by the presence of water in the tank. However, inorder, to prevent flow of current in theabsence of water in the pressure tank or when otherwise not desired, it is convenient to provide a manual device which must be actuated in order to initiate the heating and discharge cycle. This manual device may consist of an electrical switch, a. means :for positioning the magnet, or the manually actuated valve in the form utilizing the electrode heater. The details of construction are relatively rugged, simple and inexpensive to manufacture, and the device is ideally suitable for domestic use in which it is desired to obtain a limitedamount of hot water very quickly.

Having thus described my invention, I claim:

1. In a device. for heating and discharging measured quantitiesof a liquid for, beverageand like purposes, a reservoir for liquid to be heated, a tank dimensioned to contain a predetermined quantity of liquid connected to said reservoir to receive liquid therefrom, liquid discharge means leading from said tank and operable under elevated vapor pressure of the liquid to discharge a measured quantity thereof, means to heat the liquid in said tank to elevate the vapor pressure thereof, a float in said tank, and means responsive to movement of said float in the tank to control the liquid heating means.

' In 1 a. device. tor, heatingand-dischargin meas red uantities. o liquid for. beverage. purem es. a reservoir or-liquid to be. heated. a, tank. dtmensi ned contai su stanti lly one. revere aQ RD -l qu d. a. iquid conn ct n b tween. the reservoir and the tankr alv m ans. in said ir -ali n. l qu dd scha e s utc n t dt he t k-thrquehw ichl qu d d sche edimm. -st ck Pa e! a d p r P ss r me ta he tt e iquidin said t nk, a float in said tank. means, respo *v to movement of said, float, in thetank'to control-the liquid heating means-I STIn a device for heatirfig and discharg" meas [ed quantities. of liqu'idfor beverage pun a.." eserv ir for. liquid to e heated, a. tank, .liqned to contain a predetermined quantity aliq idcohnecti n b ween the reset; v0. a si th tank, valve means insaid conn ction, a i u d. d c .rs n ut. connected to the tank his ghwh' chthe q id d sc arged. under. elevated vapor pressure in the tank, means for adjusting the inlet to said spout whereby the volnme offliquid discharged ma; be controlled and me'ans to heat the liquid in saidtank.

Apparatus in accordance with claim 3, in which the means for regulating the spoutcomprises an externally threaded collar secured to said spout, and a captive nut adapted to engage the'coll'ar. I d I I 5". In a device for heating and discharging measured quantities of liquid for" beverage purposes, a reservoir for-liquid to be heated, a tank dimensioned to containa predetermined quantity of liquid, at liquidconnection between the reservoirand' the tank, valve means in said con nect -ion, liquid" discharge spout connected to the tank through which liquid is'discharged under elevatedvapor pressure in the tank, means for varying the volume ofthe tank to regulate the amount fof' liquid discharged through the spout, and means to heat the liquid in said tank.

6: Apparatus in accordance with claim 5, in which the volume regulating means forthe tank comprises a distendable portion in a tank wall, and cam means adapted to distend said portion upon turningof' the cam.

'T.' In a device for heating and discharging measured quantities of liquid for beverage pur posesa reservoir for liquid to be heated, a tank dimensioned to contain a predetermined quantity offliquid, a liquid connection between the reservoir and the tank, valve means in saidconmotion, a liquid" discharge spout connected tothe tank through which liquid'is discharged from the tankunder elevatedpressuraan immersion heater mountedinsaid tank, a float adapted to rise 'and fall in said: tank in accordance with the liquid therein, switch means operatively associated with saidimmersion heater, and magnetic rrreanson said float and switch to hold the switch clQs dvvhen "the float is raised; 7

8. In a device for heating anddischarging measured quantities of' liquid for beverage purposes, a reservoirfor liquid to be heated, a tank dimensioned to contain a predetermined quantity of liquid, a liquid connection between the reservoir and the tank, valve means in said connection, a liquid discharge spout connected to the tank through which liquid is dicharged from the tank under elevated pressure, an immersion heater mounted in said tank, a float adapted to rise and fall in said tank in accordance with the liquid therein, switch means operatively associated with said immersion heater, magnetic means on said float and switch to hold the switch closed when the float is raised, said magnetic means-having insufficient mutual attraction to independently close the switch, and manual means for assisting the attraction of the magnetic means to close the switch.

9. In a device for heating and discharging measured quantities of liquid for beverage purposes, a reservoir for liquid to be heated, a tank dimensioned to contain a predetermined quantityof liquid, a liquid connection between the reservoir and the tank, valve means in said connection, a liquid discharge spout connected to the tank through which liquid is discharged from the tank under elevated pressure, an immersion heater mounted in said tank, a float adapted to rise and fall in said tank in accordance with the liquid therein, switch means operatively associated with said immersion heater, magnetic means associated with said float and said switch, said magnetic means having insufficient mutual attraction to independently close the switch, manual means for assisting the attraction of the magnetic means to close the switch, and a spring associated with said switch whereby the switch will automatically open when the float is substantially lowered.

10. In a device for heating and discharging measured quantities of liquid for beverage purposes, a reservoir for liquid to be heated, a tank dimensioned to contain a predetermined quantity of liquid, 2. liquid connection between the reservoir and the tank, valve means in said connection, a liquid discharge spout connected to the tank through which liquid is discharged from the tank under elevated pressure, a vent providing communication between the tank and the upper part of the reservoir, a check valve in said vent,.and means to heat the liquid in said tank.

11. In liquid heating apparatus, the combination which comprises a housing, a supply reservoir mounted in the upper portion of said housing, a tankmountedin said housing below the supply reservoir, a liquid conduit connecting the reservoir and the tank, a check valve in said conduit, an electrical heating element associated with the tank, a float in said tank, a magnetic armature on said float, a magnetically actuated switch outside the tank and adapted to be opened by lowering the float, electrical connections be tween the heater and the switch, a spout communicating with the interior of the tank, and manual means for opening and closing the switch.

12. Apparatus in accordance with claim 11, in which the housing is provided with a beverage cup support, and the spout is adapted to direct liquid into a beverage cup when placed on said support.

, 13. Apparatus in accordance with claim 11, in which the inlet end of the spout is adjustable vertically to provide variable quantities of liquid when ejected from the tank.

14. Apparatus in accordance with claim 11, having an air vent connecting the tank and the reservoir, and a check valve associated with said air vent adapted to close the vent upon relatively high velocity escape of vapor from the tank.

15. Apparatus in accordance with claim 11, in which the spoutis provided with means for rais ing and lowering the spout in the tank whereby the amount of hot liquid ejected from the tank may be varied.

. 16. Apparatus in accordance with claim 11, in which the volume of the tank is variable by cam means located exteriorly of the tank.

17. Apparatus in accordance with claim 11, in.

- measured quantities of a liquid for beverage and like purposes, a reservoir for liquid to be heated, a tank dimensioned to contain a predetermined quantity of liquid connected to said reservoir to receive liquid therefrom, liquid discharge means leading from said tank operable under elevated vapor pressure of the liquid to discharge a measured quantity thereof, and heating means responsive to the presence of a predetermined amount of liquid in the tank for heating said liquid and elevating the vapor pressure thereof.

19. In a device for heating and discharging measured quantities of a liquid for beverage and like purposes, a reservoir for liquid to be heated, a tank dimensioned to contain a predetermined quantity of liquid connected to said reservoir to receive liquid therefrom, liquid discharge means leading from said tank operable under elevated vapor pressure of the liquid to discharge a measured quantity thereof, electrical heating means in said tank to elevate the vapor pressure of liq-' uid in the tank, and an electrical circuit for said heating means, said circuit being responsive to the presence of a predetermined amount of liquid in the tank.

EDWIN P. VAN SCIVER.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the file of this patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 1,946,573 De Vries Feb. 13, 1934 1,980,735 Smith Nov. 13, 1934 2,114,063 Stoner Apr. 12, 1938 2,119,455 De Ayala May 31, 1938 2,169,852 Scott Aug. 15, 1939 2,180,655 Abbate Nov. 21, 1939 2,300,300 Lund Oct. 27, 1942 

